Jan. 7, 2008

Missouri Tigers (9-5) vs. UMKC Kangaroos (5-11)
Regular Season Game 15 - January 8, 2008 - Columbia, Mo.

	GAME CENTRAL: Game Notes  (495 kb) Mizzou All-Access   Yahoo!
	TIPOFF: 7:06 p.m. CST. ARENA: Mizzou Arena - Columbia, Mo. (15,061). TV: MSN (Chris Gervino play-by-play; Jon Sundvold analyst). RADIO: Tiger Radio Network (Mike Kelly play-by-play; Gary Link analyst). Also available on Sirius Ch. 114. RANKINGS:    Mizzou: NR/NR    UMKC: NR/NR SERIES: Mizzou leads 1-0; last Missouri won 60-42 on Nov. 29, 2005. COACHES:    Mizzou: Mike Anderson (Tulsa '82); 116-58 overall (6th season); 27-17 at Mizzou (2nd).    UMKC: Matt Brown (Shippensburg '94); 5-11 overall (1st season).

FOR OPENERS

• Mizzou closes out non-conference play on Tuesday when it hosts intra-state rival UMKC at Mizzou Arena ... The Tigers will look to close out the non-conference campaign a perfect 9-0 at home and enter Big 12 play on a winning note for the eighth consecutive season ... The last time Mizzou lost a non-conference game before the start of Big 12 action came in 1999-2000, when it fell to Winthrop 51-46.
• So far this season the Tigers are a perfect 8-0 within the friendly confines of Mizzou Arena and will look to continue their home court dominance in non-conference action during the Mike Anderson era ... Missouri is 19-0 at home in non-conference action under Anderson ... Overall, Missouri sports a 26-game non-conference home court winning streak dating back to the 2005-06 campaign, which is the longest non-conference winning streak since the Tigers won 27 consecutive from 1987-1990 ... Mizzou's last non-conference loss at home came against Sam Houston State in the 2005-06 season opener.
• Mizzou Arena has been a terror dome for non-league opponents during the Anderson era ... In running their record to 19-0, the Tigers are averaging a 26.7 ppg. margin of victory vs. non-conference foes at home, including quality wins over Arkansas, Davidson, Mississippi State and Purdue.
• The Tigers have handled their business nicely over the years against teams from Missouri ... Overall, Mizzou is 143-56 all-time vs. opponents from the Show-Me State ... Not included in this mark are exhibition wins against Missouri-Rolla, Missouri-St. Louis and Missouri Western during Anderson's tenure at MU.
• Following tonight's game, Missouri opens Big 12 play vs. the nationally-ranked Texas Longhorns ... The 12:30 p.m. tip is closing in on a sellout, but good seats are available for purchase through the Mizzou Athletics Ticket Office ... Should the contest sellout, it would mark the fourth packed-house during Anderson's tenure in Columbia.
• Missouri continues to be the nation's No. 1 team at defending the three-point arc this season, as foes are shooting just 23.6 percent from bonus distance against the Tigers ... Missouri's three-point defense easily leads the Big 12 ... Oklahoma is second at 29.6 percent ... Over the last 10 games, opponents are shooting just 34-of-165 from three (.204) vs. the Tiger defense.
• A by-product of Missouri's great perimeter defense has been some huge scoring runs ... The Tigers have had six runs of 20+ points this season, including a 34-2 run vs. McNeese State and a 24-4 run to close out Purdue.

MIZZOU QUICK-HITTERS

• Mizzou continues its 102nd season of college basketball on Tuesday when it faces UMKC in Columbia.
• The Tigers and Kangaroos are playing for the second time in three seasons, with that initial meeting coming in 2005.
• Mizzou is 1-0 vs. members of the Summit League this year, following a 91-52 win over Western Illinois on Nov. 25 at Mizzou Arena.
• As is the case with many teams across the country, Mizzou has been a buzz saw at home this year ... In running their mark to 8-0 at Mizzou Arena, the Tigers have averaged a 28.5 ppg. margin of victory on Norm Stewart Court and have held seven consecutive foes under 70 points.
• In fact, Mizzou has enjoyed double-figure wins in all-eight home games this year, with six of their last seven home wins coming by 30+ points.
• Mizzou is coming off a season-long nine-day break and will play their first game of the new year.
• In their last game inside Mizzou Arena, the Tigers allowed a season low 38 points to Coppin State, setting a new Mizzou Arena record for fewest points in a game ... The previous was 42 points held by Tuesday's opponent, UMKC.
• The 38 points allowed was the fewest in nine seasons for the Tigers.
• ESPN's Pat Forde named Mizzou Arena the No. 1 “New School” college basketball arena in America ... Who can argue?, the place is loaded!
• Missouri has been downright offensive in the first half this year ... The Tigers are averaging 43.3 points through the first 20 minutes and are outscoring opponents 43.3-32.4 during that span.
• A major reason for that scoring surge in the first period is Missouri's 50.1 percent field goal shooting and a remarkable 1.7-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio during the opening 20 minutes of play.
• Missouri has already topped 50 points in the first half four times this season after accomplishing that feat just twice over the last three years combined.
• Overall, Missouri ranks No. 28 nationally in scoring at 81.1 points per game.
• Although the Tigers are clicking offensively, the team's defensive pressure may actually be picking up following last season's school record 302 steals ... The Tigers have forced 279 turnovers (143 steals) in 14 games this season ... Last year, Mizzou led the Big 12 with 10.1 steals and 18.9 turnovers per game and are averaging 10.2 steals and 19.9 turnovers forced per game this year, including the 23 turnovers forced vs. 2007 NCAA Tournament qualifiers Maryland and Arkansas.
• Conversely, the Tigers are turning the ball over just 13.4 times per game.
• The Tigers have done an excellent job converting off those miscues and are averaging 24.4 points per game off turnovers ... When you break down the numbers, Missouri is scoring 30.0 percent of its points off of turnovers (24.4-of-81.1 ppg).
• Overall, the Tigers are forcing a turnover on every six possessions, which allows them to average 8.3 more shots per game than their opponents.
• In addition to steals, a trademark of Mike Anderson-coached teams has been assist totals and the Tigers are recording assists on 62.4 percent of their buckets this season (259 assists on 415 FG's).
• When you take Missouri's 44 “put-back” buckets out of the equation, the Tigers are averaging assists on 69.4 percent of their field goals.
• Overall, Missouri's 18.5 assists per game rank No. 11 nationally.
• Even with the club's fast-paced style of play, Missouri boasts a 1.4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio on the season, which ranks No. 15 nationally.
• To put Missouri's assist/turnover numbers in perspective, through 14 games last season (versus a much lighter strength of schedule), Missouri had 233 assists and 225 turnovers and had just a 1.1 assist-to-turnover ratio as a team.
• This year Missouri has 259 assists, 187 turnovers and that 1.4-to-1 assist to turnover ratio.
• The Tigers boast a +6.6 turnover margin on the year, which ranks among the best in America, due in large part to the fact their 13.4 turnovers committed per game rank No. 15 nationally.
• Missouri has flashed a balanced playing rotation, as nine Tigers are averaging at least 12.7 minutes per game and no player is averaging more than 27.4 minutes.
• Missouri has topped double figures in three-point makes three times this year, including a season high 11 vs. McNeese State ... The Tigers also hit 10 three-pointer vs. Michigan State and Southern.

TIGER TIDBITS (Individual Notes)

• The Junk Yard Dog has had a major impact in just his first season ... DeMarre Carroll, also known as J.Y.De, dominated the Columbia Regional of the CBE Classic en route to MVP honors and has reached double figures in 12-of-14 game this season, including three 20-point efforts and a pair of double-doubles this season.
• Carroll has actually been close to producing double-double efforts in nine games this year and is averaging 14.7 points and 6.9 boards to rank as the team leader in both categories.
• The Big 12 Newcomer of the Year front-runner also ranks third in the Big 12 Conference in field goal percentage (.589), while ranking among the Top 10 in scoring (9th) and rebounding (7th).
• Carroll has topped 10 rebounds four times this season, including back-to-back games vs. North Carolina A&T and Illinois.
• He narrowly missed his third consecutive game with double figure boards against Coppin State ... He finished with 19 points and nine rebounds.
• Even more incredible is that he is producing those numbers in just 24.3 minutes per game.
• Carroll always seems to find a way to impact the game for Missouri and while he was saddled with foul trouble vs. Purdue, the junior forward blocked a career high three shots in the final 4:11 to help lead Missouri to the come-from-behind win ... Carroll actually scored three points, had three blocks, two assists and a steal in the final 7:35 of the MU win vs. Purdue ... The Birmingham native also added a career-high tying four steals vs. McNeese State, showing another way he has impacted a Tiger win.
• Carroll was recently named one of Seth Davis' (Sports Illustrated) Key Faces in New Places for 2007-08.
• ESPN's Andy Katz also said “there may not be a harder working interior player -- outside of Tyler Hansbrough -- than DeMarre Carroll.”
• In case you were wondering, Carroll dominates the classroom too and needs seven hours in the spring semester to finish his degree and begin his Masters work in Administration.
• Stefhon Hannah continues to be one of the nation's most dynamic point guards and has reached double figures in 18 of his last 21 games, including a three 20-point efforts this season.
• Although his scoring numbers are consistent (14.0 points through 14 games this year vs. 14.3 through 14 games last year), the key to Hannah's improved play has been fewer turnovers ... Last season through 14 games Hannah had 70 assists and 46 turnovers ... This year he has 71 dimes and just 39 turnovers vs. a much stronger set of opponents.
• Hannah flashed his toughness vs. Maryland on Nov. 20 when he played with the flu and still managed 14 points and five dimes ... The Chicago native wasn't able to eat all day and spent the early portion of the second half in the locker room, but returned to score eight second-half points, leading MU to the win.
• Hannah broke out of an early offensive slump with 20 points vs. No. 11 Michigan State on Nov. 20 ... The consistent lead guard has reached double figures in 36-of-43 career games for MU.
• Hannah scored a career high 28 points at Arkansas, marking the 10th 20-point effort of his career.
• In addition to his scoring numbers, Hannah's assist totals are on the rise ... When you factor in Hannah's 5.1 assists per game this year, the senior guard is actually accounting for 25.2 of Mizzou's 81.1 points per game (including assists on three-point field goals).
• Hannah also has 71 assists, 27 steals and just 39 turnovers on the year ... For his short career, Hannah has had five or more dimes 24 times (including 10 of 14 games this year) and multiple steals 26 times, which is no surprise since the 6-foot-1 senior was named the nation's ninth-best perimeter defender by Fran Fraschilla and ESPN.com.
• A key factor in Hannah's play has been improved free throw shooting and Hannah is 30-of-34 (.883) over his last 11 games ... In the last five minutes of a game Hannah is 16-of-19 from the charity stripe (.842).
• As you would expect, Hannah is a preseason candidate for the Bob Cousy National Point Guard of the Year Award.
• Not to be outdone, Keon Lawrence has reached double figures in 16 of his last 21 games, including a season high 17-points and eight rebounds at Arkansas.
• Despite being just 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, Lawrence is third on the club at 4.1 rebounds per game, including five games of six or more boards.
• The dynamic guard is also second on the team with 10 blocks.
• As was documented by the Kansas City Star, there are no “off days” for Lawrence, as he makes 1,000 shots each day the team is given off by head coach Mike Anderson.
• J.T. Tiller earned his first career start vs. Coppin State and responded with 10 points, three assists and two steals in 25 minutes.

ABOUT UMKC
   UMKC comes into Tuesday's game 5-11 on the season following a 69-62 home loss to Western Illinois on Jan. 5 ... Dane Brumagin led the Kangaroos with 21 points thanks to his 4-of-8 shooting from three-point range, while Brian Gettinger added 17 on 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc ... Brumagin leads the 'Roos with 18.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game ... Brumagin has been one of the nation's better three-point shooters and is connecting on 48.0 percent of his shots from bonus distance ... UMKC is led by first-year coach Matt Brown, who came to Kansas City after serving as an assistant coach at West Virginia for three seasons.

THE UMKC SERIES
   Mizzou and UMKC will meet for just the second time in series history, with the Tigers owning a 1-0 series advantage ... Mizzou claimed a 60-42 victory in the initial match-up, also at Mizzou Arena, on Nov. 29, 2005 ... The 42 points were the fewest in Mizzou Arena history until the Tigers held Coppin State to 38 on Dec. 27.

WITH A TIGER WIN:

• Missouri would close out the non-conference season 10-5 heading into the Big 12-opener with No. 14 Texas on Jan. 12.
• The Tigers would improve to 144-56 all-time vs. opponents from the state of Missouri.
• Mizzou would run its non-conference home court winning streak to 27 games, which is the longest non-conference winning streak since the Tigers won 27 consecutive from 1987-1990.
• Mizzou would improve to 24-4 at home under Anderson and 20-0 at home vs. non-conference opposition.
• The Tigers would move to 28-17 all-time under Mike Anderson.
• Overall, Anderson would improve to 117-58 in his six seasons as a head coach.
• Mizzou would improve to 21-7 vs. non-conference foes under Anderson, which would include wins over Purdue, Maryland, Arkansas, Mississippi State and Davidson.

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE STEAL
   When watching Missouri's high-pressure style of play it's easy to fall in love with the steal statistic, but really, Mike Anderson's style of play isn't about “the theft”, it's more about “the act” ... The huge steal totals get the most publicity because it's an NCAA recognized statistic, when in fact, “deflections” and turnovers are more closely charted by the coaching staff.
   It's the deflections that often lead to turnovers and possibly steals, but can also upset the opponent's rhythm on offense and force them to regroup while the shot clock is winding down.
    So far this season Missouri has 375 team deflections, which have ultimately led to 279 turnovers forced, either via 143 steals, eight 35-second clock violations, eight forced five-second calls, four 10-second violations, etc.
   Stefhon Hannah leads Mizzou with 63 deflections this season, while J.T. Tiller (49) and DeMarre Carroll (42) round out the top three.

SILENT J
   His style of play isn't based on “flash”, but Jason Horton has quietly put together a great career in a Tiger uniform and needs just 12 steals to join Anthony Peeler, Mike Sandbothe and Lynn Hardy as the only players in Mizzou history to finish among the top 10 in career assists and career steals ... Melvin Booker is also currently in the top 10 in both categories, but will fall out of the rankings in steals once Horton records 13 more thefts.
   Anthony Peeler leads both categories with 497 assists and 196 steals, while Sandbothe ranks fifth in steals (172) and sixth in assists (380) and Hardy ranks third in steals (194) and eighth in dimes (358).
   Horton currently has 359 assists to rank No. 7 all-time, while his 135 career steals ranks just outside the top 10.